Selection isn’t just about statistics: Tendulkar

Statesman News Service | August 18, 2013 8:21 pm

press trust of india
Bangalore, 18 August
Senior Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar feels selectors should focus on the players’ ability to handle pressure instead of only considering their statistics while picking the national team. “Selection is not about looking at the scorebook. A selector can pick up players who have scored heavily but that does not work out. I have seen players who are exceptionally good at the domestic level not being able to perform as well in international cricket,” Tendulkar said.
“It’s about vision. When it comes to selection, one has to analyse a player. Even if he fails in a few matches, one needs to see if he has the ability to withstand pressure and execute at the international level,” he explained.
Tendulkar said the changes brought into cricket, including the much-criticised Twenty20 format, has made the sport more exciting and helped getting more results in Tests. “Cricket is the only sport to have three formats and it’s only getting more exciting not only for players but also for spectators. “There is creativity and more results are coming by (in longer version of the game). The batsmen are willing to take chances,” he said in an interaction at KSCA’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations here. Former India captain Sourav Ganguly said T20 has impacted the longer version of the game as players are becoming aggressive and there have been many results too.